Jessica Kaneakua

Jessica is the community change initiatives lead for Hawaiʻi Island (Kīpuka Hilo & Puʻuwai).

Though born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, she has familial roots tied to the Papakōlea community on Oʻahu. After graduating from Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis, Jessica earned her bachelor's degree in psychology at Macalester College in St. Paul, and then went on to earn her master's degree in human development & family studies at the University of Connecticut in Storrs.

She previously lived on Molokaʻi and worked in the field of public health, then in 2014 relocated to Hawaiʻi Island where she has worked within education and non-profit sectors. She serves as a board member on the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) Native Hawaiian Revolving Loan Fund (NHRLF).

Jessica, along with her son and spouse, call Mountain View, located in the Puna district on Hawaiʻi Island, their home.